Lowrance HDS-7 Gen3

[flechero]

After many years (12 I think) my LMS 332 finally bit the dust.  I'm looking at a Lowrance HDS-7 Gen3 Insight w/ 83/200 khz trans.  (it looks good and is on sale!)   I know NOTHING about the new technology and never even used the last unit to it's potential. 

 

Not sure I understand... the write up says it does structure scan with the included transducer but then there is a $200 option for a structure scan transducer and another $300 for a total scan transducer.   Can anyone dumb this down for me? 

 

I'd also appreciate any feedback from those running this unit.

 

Thanks!

Keith

 

 

[3dees]

the transducer included will give you down scan and broadband. you can add a Lss 2 tranducer for side scan. the total scan will replace both transducers and give you down scan, side scan, and broadband. I have heard complaints about the total scan not reading with higher speeds.

[flechero]

Thanks for the explanation.  So to confirm, I'll need 2 transducers for full functionality? (or one really big "total scan" transducer) Both can be externally mounted? (I've had 2 shoot throughs in my life and neither worked well at all & both were dealer installed)

 

Thanks again!

[3dees]

side scan has to be mounted externally. lss-2 and total scan transducers are both very long. lss-2 doesn't have this problem because when using side scan you should be going 3-5 mph as per the manual.

[WTnPuddleJumper]

I have a gen 3 9".  Great unit BTW.  The touch feature is great.  I rarely use the SI feature.  I am more comfortable with the sonar readings not to mention I fish shallower bodies of water.  From your post above it sounds to me that your a "sonor" guy (kind of like me).  You might want to save your money at first and just run it with the 83/200 and see if it fits your style.  If not then add the SI Stuff later.

[eddallen]

Guys it all really depends on the boat and the installation. Here is a StarCraft 206 with the OEM 83/200 and SS3D transducers and you can see it reads bottom very well at 30+ mph, and notice that the larger SS3D transducer creates no water spout. The boat topped out at 52 mph, still reading bottom from the 83/200 although the SS3D ducer wasn't useful.